How to make the federal workforce feel respected once again

Sen. Jon Tester speaks with In Depth host Francis Rose.

Commentary by Senator Jon Tester (D-Mont.)Chairman, Homeland Security Subcommittee on Efficiency
and Effectiveness of Federal Programs and the Federal Workforce

Pay freezes. Sequestration. Government shutdowns.

Federal workers have been through a lot these past few years.

In an attempt to reverse this trend and demonstrate the importance of supporting
an efficient government, earlier this month I held a hearing on employee morale in my subcommittee that oversees
the federal workforce.

(Courtesy of Sen. Jon Tester)

The hearing showed that we need to shift the perception of federal workers. Too
often, Americans don't appreciate the positive impact government employees have on
their lives.

They don't think about who makes sure Social Security checks arrive on time, who
is securing our borders and fighting forest fires, or who is delivering the mail.
The federal workforce is not a faceless, nameless group of folks. The work they
do every day matters.

As a farmer, I know the difference it makes when you feel valued in your work.
When I haul my grain to a buyer who says, "It's good doing business with you"
rather than "I'll take it because I have to," I work harder for that buyer.
People work better and more efficiently when they feel respected. And lately,
Congress hasn't done a lot to make federal workers feel valued.

Pushing for pay freezes, sequestration and the government shutdown may score
political points back home, but it's not sound policy. It sends a message to
workers that they are expendable.

We all know that's not true.

These are the same folks who want to balance the budget on the backs of government
employees. Let me be clear: federal workers didn't upend our budget, and we won't
get our fiscal house in order by cutting their salaries or benefits.

Witnesses at my hearing reiterated the need to improve federal workers' skills and
find more ways to recruit and retain the best and the brightest to serve our
country.

We must improve worker training programs and do a better job bringing talented
folks into government ranks. And once they are there, these workers must be
offered opportunities to advance if they put in the hours and demonstrate results.

I also often hear from folks who want to work for the federal government, but are
turned off by the long application process.

As a result, I am looking into legislation that makes it easier for agencies to
share certification lists. That way, if one agency does the legwork to vet an
applicant, but chooses not to hire them, the candidate won't have to go through
the same lengthy process when applying for another job with another agency. This
will save time and money. It's a common-sense change.

Moving forward, I will work with the Office of Personnel Management to make sure
the agency has the tools it needs to build a federal workforce for the 21st
century. One that is innovative, diverse and versatile.

Farmers are solution-oriented folks. Out in the fields, we have to figure out how
to get the job done so we can provide for our families and get our products to
market. That's why at each of my hearings, I'm looking for solutions. We've had
enough talk in Washington. We need results.

My next hearing will examine how government can improve its information technology
systems. We'll be looking at electronic health records and the sharing of data
between agencies.

My work won't stop there. I promise to continue to fight for solutions that
recognize the hard work of our public servants while making government more
efficient.

Federal employees make American lives better. We must honor their efforts by
making government and the federal workforce the best it can be.

Sen. Jon Tester is
Montana's senior U.S. senator and a third-generation Montana
farmer. He serves on multiple committees including Veterans Affairs; Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs; Appropriations; Banking, Housing and Urban
Affairs; and Indian Affairs. He is currently the chairman of the Homeland Security
Subcommittee on Efficiency and Effectiveness of Federal Programs and the Federal
Workforce.